County supervisor says he’s staying put

LEESBURG, Va. – Loudoun County Supervisor Eugene DelGaudio says he is not ready to quit, even in the face of censure from his colleagues and a recall petition by his opponents.

DelGaudio, a Republican, lost his staff and committee assignments after the GOP-dominated board censured him for using his county staff for political purposes. He denies that charge.

On Friday, a judge dismissed his lawsuit arguing to get his staff back.

A grand jury cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing but recommended a number of changes in the way county staff is handled.

Before the judge’s ruling, DelGaudio said he intends to fight on.

“This is a misunderstanding, exaggerated by people who are intentionally confusing what is a normal circumstance for every other official who has a job,” he said.

DelGaudio is also the president of Public Advocate of the United States, a right-leaning nonprofit advocacy group which has campaigned against admitting gays into the Boy Scouts and against same-sex marriage.

His attorney, Charles King, says they are now contemplating an appeal of the judge’s ruling.

DelGaudio says he is still hoping the board will reverse it’s decision and give him back his staff budget.

Last week, Supervisors Board Chairman Scott York said that is unlikely, saying the board has since detected two DelGaudio staff members whom nobody has ever seen.

“I’m working to accept the discipline that the supervisors have expressed, but I would like the opportunity to respond to the things that are bothering them,” says DelGaudio.

He also faces a recall petition being circulated by Democrats in his Sterling district.